Assessment of the Quality of Life in Korean Patients with Vitiligo / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a chronic disfiguring dermatosis and can cause significant psychosocial burden that affects quality of life (QOL). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the QOL in patients with vitiligo and healthy controls by using general and dermatology-specific (DLQI) questionnaires World Health Organization QOL Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and Dermatology QOL Index (DLQI), respectively. METHODS: Vitiligo patients and healthy controls (104 of each) were recruited, all of whom completed the WHOQOL-BREF and DLQI. Total scores and scores of domains of the WHOQOL-BREF and DLQI in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The scores of total DLQI and categories of symptoms and feelings, daily activities, and leisure of vitiligo patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (p<0.05). The QOL score and domains of physical, psychological health, and social relationships of the WHOQOL-BREF in patients with vitiligo were decreased compared with those in healthy controls (p<0.05). Clinical characteristics, including disease duration, treatment duration, vitiligo area, exposed site, self-reported severity, treatment unsatisfaction, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory showed significant impairment in the QOL of vitiligo patients according to the DLQI and WHOQOL-BREF (p<0.05). High disease activity and Koebner's phenomenon showed a negative correlation with QOL in patients with vitiligo according to the DLQI only (p<0.05). There was no association between the total DLQI and the QOL scores. CONCLUSION: In our study, QOL in patients with vitiligo was poorer than that of healthy controls. The severity of depression and anxiety was the most important predictor of QOL. Therefore, in managing patients with vitiligo, it is important for the dermatologist to consider the psychological aspects of QOL to provide satisfaction of life.